What Are We Reading

The American Security Project (ASP) expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Senator Warren Rudman on news of his passing Monday night. Senator Rudman was a pillar of leadership while in government service and for years following, and he was a founding father of ASP.

An Army combat veteran of the Korean War, he brought a unique perspective to national security issues at ASP, and was instrumental in encouraging national action on climate change & energy security, international agreements on nuclear weapons, combating terrorism, as well as ensuring that we understand that our economy, debt and competitiveness as key elements of national security.

Among other noteworthy achievements, he was also the co-chair of the Hart-Rudman Commission, which predicted that the United States was vulnerable to a significant terrorist attack – just some 10 months prior to 9/11. A Republican who was willing to compromise in the interest of our nation’s success, he set a standard for many to follow.

The new Defense Department space policy, updated to reflect the fast-growing use and sometimes misuse of the space domain, addresses issues of safety, sustainability and security in space for the 21st century and beyond.

British Council research shows that English education and culture – the UK’s prime soft power assets – are helping to build trust for the UK worldwide and that trust translates into people wanting to study in the UK, visit, and do more business with them.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army said it’s preparing a response to the capture of Goma by rebel forces as a research group warned the fall of the city threatens the survival of President Joseph Kabila’s government.

President Barack Obama overcame his pivot penchant to Asia and has sent Secretary of State Hillary Clinton back to the Middle East. Her arrival can come none too soon, as the adverse fallout for U.S. strategic interests resulting from recent turmoil in the Middle East could be quite dramatic.

The Department of Defense has taken on so many non-defense functions that it has become “The Department of Everything,” say Senator Coburn in a new report outlining $67.9 billion in savings that could come from eliminating unnecessary programs.